Changing Face of Chester

Recently, we visited Chester and stayed at a gorgeous Green Bough Hotel, the winner of Cheshire's Small Hotel of the Year 2011. It occupies a few well preserved buildings, offering a mix of authentic glamour, impeccable service, excellent food, and modern amenities, in a leafy Hoole area.

In Green Bough Hotel, wearing a James Lakeland dress

From there, one can easily get to the sites of Roman Chester, and adorable Grosvenor Mall, famed for its elegant Tudor facades of rows and rows of chic shops. Our bestest friends live in Chester, and we have been coming here for so long that we had become well acquainted with many delightful owners of designer boutiques, and made the Grosvenor our base from where we would ogle - over champagne and coffee - hundreds of newly acquired trophies: bejewelled dresses; outré animal print coats; ultra-high heeled shoes; and leather skinnies, all discovered during crazily indulgent shopping sprees. Many happy days, and fabulously decadent nights on the town would have us coming back for more, over the last decade. That was `then` and `now` Chester is losing many of its charming independent outlets, which used to offer excellent service and an incredible selection of high quality goods. Firstly, a few years ago MaxMara closed down, followed by Kurt Geiger. And then, the undisputed queen of style – Alizari – from where I amassed an impressive collection of Marc Cain`s fabulous garments and breath-taking accessories, closed its doors for good. I thought I would cry when Victoria texted me the news…… Jays is the latest victim of the prevailing recession.  When would it stop? How many dreams would be shattered before we can see ` green roots` of recovery?

Fashion Show Appropriate

With the London Fashion Week in full swing, a question of `fashion show appropriate attire` comes to mind, as style doyennes contemplate `what to wear where`. It used to be so easy – one would put on a dress by the designer whose front row (or any other row) one was invited to seat at.  Then, the `look`  for a fashion show changed, and 2 leading, but opposing options, were created: to appear casually dressed in jeans and a  boyfriend`s jumper (but accessorised with a Rolex and a Prada bag), or to dress up immaculately, with exaggerated elegance, complemented with some real `bling`. And now? What is `fashion show suitable` now?

Over the years, I have had a few hits, as well as 1 or 2 misses, but my most successful look came out at DAKS London Fashion Week`s Spring/Summer 2012 show. A few days before, I purchased an oversized dress (looks good only on a slim frame) from a pop up boutique, in London`s Carnaby Street. Designed by a talented fashion student, it is made of neoprene (wet suit material) and fur. Part nonchalant, part glam (the fur) solution.

London Fashion Week, Somerset House, accessorised with a Fendi clutch and Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses

Perfect for standing out from fashion crowd, and models who looked as if they last ate anything in Autumn/Winter 2009.

`But We Are All Fabulous` said Donatella Versace....

…when I asked her for tips on looking `fabulously forty` and not `frumpily forty `. I realised what she meant when I went to Europe last week, for an important family celebration. I met with – amongst other members of my family – my two sisters, Gigi and Barbara. They lead interesting lives: Gigi is currently redecorating her antique-filled home, working on exciting editorial projects, and caring for a supermodel-looking son. Barbara had published a book, and is successfully utilising new media in her business venture, while looking after her family and letting her hair down during Zumba classes.

LtoR: I am wearing a pink Versace dress and diamond earrings from Dubai; Barbara (centre); and Gigi (right)

They both take great care of themselves, experimenting with a new minimalist look, while still maintaining her favourite bohemian appearance most of the time (Gigi) or welcoming the new season with a glimpse of something unexpected: juxtaposition of colour or dangerously tight, elaborate necklace (Barbara). They know who they are, and don`t shy away from discovering new ideas. In fact, they welcome life changes and enjoy making the best out of every situation. I am certain they are the women Donatella referred to when she uttered the word `fabulous`.   

Back to Black

When the leading labels such as Valentino, Fendi, Ferragamo, Dior and Gucci sent glamorous rebels and vixens, clad in glossy black leather, down the catwalks across the globe, and Chanel introduced a new fragrance, called Noir, bottled in an opaque dark flacon, the message become clear– black is back! It played on my mind when we visited Africa a few weeks ago, searching for furniture to decorate our newly acquired abode. While we were there, I noticed a lovely leather bed (black, of course!) in an Italian boutique but felt it was too bulky for our airy apartment. After a couple of days, having visited every single furniture shop in town, without a positive outcome, we knew we needed to find a local craftsman and go the bespoke route.

I am eyeing up this marvellous sofa/bench, made by world-renown artisans from Mali, which I discovered in a gallery in our African town, as my next purchase. It would add charm and finesse to our penthouse

We were lucky to discover the very same evening a fabulously loud reggae bar, on a rooftop, with breath-taking views over the ocean and the town centre; the place was so cool and slick, and decorated with shiny, black-coloured coffee tables, black sofas and loungers, and all kitted out with comfortable cushions, made of soft fabric in the same hue. A helpful owner introduced us to his Ghanaian furniture maker, who – in turn – initiated a meeting, the next morning, with a carpenter from Guinea Bissau, who agreed to make 6 pieces of furniture for us. All bespoke, carefully measured to fit specific areas of our apartment. We are very happy we are feeding money into the local community rather than forking out for hugely expensive and hazardously unreliable shipping of furniture from Europe. I can`t wait for my couture pieces!

Luxurious Lace

Every year, I help stage a fashion show for my local charities. This August – without exception – Nousha, the star of the current TV series, the Hotel Inspector, had opened her picturesque garden for all of us to party in aid of Dementia Concern; Samaritans; and the British Institute for Brain Injured Children. The fashion show, which featured Nousha`s creations, was a traffic stopper (literally!) earning Nousha, and the models, numerous compliments.

The fashion show`s finale

The clothes and accessories on show were hand made from organic cotton, some later dyed into different colours, and intricately woven into lace pattern. We saw sumptuous skirts; sexy yet sophisticated dresses; and tantalising tops, some with billowing sleeves, and other adorned with minuscule pearl drops.

Taking a break from selling raffle tickets to partygoers, in a James Lakeland dress, and my favourite shades by Marc Jacobs

We were served a delicious lunch of saffron rice with lamb, and an array of vegetables, and later burned the calories by vigorously dancing to live music.

Colour me Beautiful

We are setting up home in Africa, on a wind-swept island, framed by a fast-moving ocean. It provides a theatrical backdrop to even the most tedious activity, as massive waves crash in a spectacular range of colours: azure, cobalt, navy, sapphire, cream, cerulean and indigo. Boisterous by day, the ocean becomes placid at dusk and the evenings are graced by richly coloured sky, with rosy lavender, amethyst, and crimson hues fighting for attention.

In a La Perla swimwear and Marc Jacobs sunglasses

Olympics` Legacy

If you were, as I was, amazed by the Olympians` athleticism on display, you might be thinking how great it was to see the results of such an intensive training on their bodies and minds. Sadly, this incredible event is coming to its end and many are preoccupied with predicting what would be the legacy of the games. How long would we hold on to this great sporting spirit? How often would we recall the enthusiasm of the general public, the camaraderie, fairness, and the sheer courage to compete against all odds? How long would we bask in the glory of staging one of the best shows on earth? What would be left when the bright lights are switched off, and the roar of the masses dies down? Some talk about regeneration of East London, others about the whole generation that gained new role models……and me? I wish the legacy will be – simply – the pursuit of excellence. In everything we do, starting with taking care of ourselves. The Brits are now the fattest nation in Europe; the streets are full of overweight, unhealthy people. I sincerely hope the athletes would inspire millions to start their own crusade to transform their flabby flesh into lean and healthy physique, and to alter their mind-sets and dream about greatness…..and achieve unattainable goals. Let`s not say `sorry` for being fabulous but be proud to be the best we can be (!)

Saying `goodbye` to the Olympics in a Michael Kors dress, and Swarovski earrings